Appreciating the unique, fun and beautiful things our neighborhood has to offer
Our neighborhood — it’s the place where we live out most of our days. Where we — often robotically — run errands, taxi around our children, pick up the dry cleaning, sit in traffic and perform myriad mundane tasks. Sometimes, as it plays host to our busy lives, home can lose its magic. This new year, stop for a moment, take a step back, and have a look at Preston Hollow and the city that surrounds it, through fresh eyes.
Jesuit Dallas Museum
Jesuit Dallas Museum Photo by Can Türkyilmaz
12345 Inwood
972.387.8700 x383
Salvador Dali, Dale Chihuly, Diego Rivera, Glenna Goodacre, Yaccov Agam, Frantz Courtens and Miguel Zapata. These artists’ works are among the Jesuit Dallas Museum’s 500 pieces that span 2,000 years. The museum is located on the college preparatory school’s campus but is separately chartered and open for tours by calling one week in advance. Docents guide visitors through the collection of paintings, ceramics and photography for free while school is in session, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Don’t miss the photography gallery’s recent acquisition, the non-altered photograph “Arabella” of a young girl dressed in lace and splashed with nontoxic powdered paints that sweep across the frame.
Museum of Biblical Art
Museum of Biblical Art Photo by Can Türkyilmaz
7500 Park Lane
214.368.4622
In 2005 a fire destroyed the Museum of Biblical Art and 2,500 works, but that didn’t stop the board of directors from building a grander museum encompassing more than 30,000 square feet. Its art represents biblical themes from all backgrounds and denominations. Scott Peck, co-director and curator, says people don’t realize the breadth of Judaica at the museum, and that’s a surprise for many Jewish visitors. The museum has a number of exact casts from Michelangelo sculptures, and that’s not even the main attraction. Standing at 40 feet wide by 12 feet high, artist Ron DiCianni’s largest work, “The Resurrection Mural,” is a portrait of Christ in oil on canvas with brilliant strokes of color. The mural took more than two years to create and was commissioned by the museum. “The idea is that art is a gateway and window into your spiritual world,” Peck says.
Aaron Family Jewish Community Center
Aaron Family Jewish Community Center
7900 Northaven
214.739.2737
You don’t have to be of Jewish lineage to attend one of the many events at the Jewish Community Center, also known as the “J.” The center casts a wide net with events like its upcoming Zumbathon from 2-4:45 p.m. Jan. 6. One of the J’s annual highlights is a major theatrical production directed by Linda Leonard, a Dallas actress/director, and performed by its adult theater troupe, the J Players. This year they will present the musical rendition of “Titanic” from Feb. 21–March 2. Call Judy Cohn at 214.239.7115 for more information about the theater.
Northaven Trail
Northaven Trail Photo by Danny Fulgencio
The Northaven Trail is a 12-foot-wide east-west hike and bike route that runs along Northaven from Valleydale near the Jewish Community Center to Preston. It’s not just for dedicated runners and cyclists — rest areas and limestone benches cater to more casual users, and Fido will appreciate the dog stations. It’s even a great place to catch a flick. Neighbors brought their blankets and picnic baskets to last year’s movie night, relaxing at St. Michaels respite area between Preston and Central to watch “The Princess Bride,” says Ben Johnston, Friends of Northaven Trail board member. The next movie night takes place this spring, he says, so check the website for updates. The trail isn’t yet complete; the plan is to connect Northaven’s east end to White Rock Creek Trail near the Cottonwood Trail. Find updates on the progress online, plus details on future public workshops where you can give your two cents.
Technique, Le Cordon Bleu’s
Technique, Le Cordon Bleu’s student-run restaurant Photo by Can Türkyilmaz
student-run restaurant
11830 Webb Chapel, Suite 1200
Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts isn’t just for students; it’s also for those who want to experience a little fine dining without paying the price. The student-run restaurant, Technique, is open to the public and offers three- or four-course meals for $30 or less. Students work under the supervision on an on-site chef, and prepare food using sustainable ingredients and classic techniques. Reserve a table online.
Royal China
Royal China Photo by Danny Fulgencio
6025 Royal, Suite 201
214.361.1771
Royal China Photo by Danny Fulgencio
This family-owned Chinese restaurant opened in 1974 after “Buck” Shu-Chang Kao, a retired Chinese army colonel, emigrated to Dallas. Kao’s son, George, now owns the revamped restaurant at the northeast corner of the Preston Royal Shopping Center. The updated open kitchen features a dumpling bar where patrons can sit and watch the “Dumpling Ladies,” Yu-Xia Zhong and Hwa-Juan Shen. They hand-make dumplings for everyone’s diet, whether you want pork, chicken, shrimp, vegetable or gluten-free. Try to slip into a seat at Royal China during the week, because it gets pretty packed on weekends.
TJ’s Seafood Market
TJ’s Seafood Market Photo by Can Türkyilmaz
11661 Preston, Suite 149
Market/Take Out Only
214.691.2369
Explore the coasts with your taste buds and a quick trip to TJ’s to try out the selection of fresh shellfish that arrives daily. The imports range from Nantucket Bay scallops and Boston steamer crabs to West Coast Kumamotos and Nova Scotian Salutations. “We have a selection that nobody in Dallas can even touch,” owner Jon Alexis says. “We have so much weird and funky stuff.” The menu varies from day to day, and it’s not odd for the market to carry 12 different types of oysters in one month. Alexis notes that while shellfish are delectable, they’re also “sneaky healthy” because they are low in fat and cholesterol, and are good sources of protein. Want to merge sea and grill? Join your neighbors for grilling demos that start this month, but usually don’t draw crowds until February or March when the weather starts to warm. Find the calendar of events at tjsseafood.com.
Katy Trail
Katy Trail
Thanks to funding from Friends of the Katy Trail and recent construction, there are several picturesque points at which to access this 3.5-mile paved, tree-lined linear park. By foot or wheel, hop on Katy near SMU at Airline and Beverly (the closest entrance to our neighborhood) and head south. Along the way, snag a healthy salad at Company Café or savor a beer on the Katy Trail Ice House patio. Relax at scenic Lee Park, or opt to stop and shop trendy West Village. The trail ends at Victory Park, just a block away from the brand new Perot Museum of Science and History. For those simply looking for a little exercise, Katy is a suitable, albeit often crowded, spot for jogging or recreational cycling, but save the speed racing for the road.
